Hi I'm Annie

Wow! I haven't been here in forever but I thought maybe someone here might know what I'm looking for. Maybe not since it seems like this is still a place for people new to the surgery or just having it. Any of the old people still around?  I just wanted to know if anyone here might know about sclerotherapy and if they themselves have had it or know anyone else that has had it. Thanks, Annie Oh I'm Annie!  I'm 26 mother to one  normal, hyper almost 2 year old. I had my surgery almost 4 years ago (I think) I should go look that up! I can't remember!) All I know is I started out really really big, got smaller, got bigger when I got pregnant and now I'm getting smaller again. lol Thanks for your help!

I don't have an answer for you, but I just wanted to say Hi! and Welcome back to the BB.   We have a pretty cool bunch around here, very knowledgeable, so I'm sure someone will be able to give you an answer... Kathy

I Annie Welcome back and sorry don't know anything about sclerotherapy.

Jon is really old. Jay smells old. I'm three years out. I think Theresa may have looked into Sclerotherapy,,,, But don't hold me to that. kp

Hey Kevin! You look great! I need to update my picture on here. It make me look left behind. lol I am very proud of you! Hi to all those that might be around that might know me. Annie

Annie, A friend of mine had it done.  This is a copy of her post. Sclerotherapy

The gastric bypass pouch works optimally when a small opening keeps food in the pouch for a longer period of time. However, in some patients, with the passage of time, the opening can enlarge slightly. Until recently, there was no procedure available to address this situation. However, a study published in the Obesity Surgery Journal demonstrated that when a procedure known as sclerotherapy (pronounced: sklare-o-therapy) is performed in conjunction with a consultation with a registered dietitian, the best weight loss results are obtained. How Sclerotherapy Works Sclerotherapy is an outpatient procedure available for gastric bypass patients who have a dilated (enlarged) opening in their pouch. The procedure may be helpful in preventing additional surgery and may assist the patient with continued weight loss. It involves injecting an irritant around the opening from the pouch to the intestines. The body then reacts to the irritant by constricting (decreasing) the opening. Who is Helped by Sclerotherapy? This procedure can be very helpful for patients who are 2 – 5 years post surgery and have lost a fair amount of weight, but continue to struggle with the sensation that they can eat more than they could immediately following surgery. The procedure involves having an esophagogastroduode noscopy (EGD) to evaluate the size of the pouch opening. If the opening is deemed large, then the irritant can be applied to decrease its size. In some cases, it may take more than one application to get the opening to constrict to the desired size.

If you have questions please call mmpc Michigan Weight Loss Specialists at 877-877-6672. 

When Dr. Baker did mine, my pouch opening was 15 mm.  After surgery, it was 12-14 mm which Dr. Baker feels is optimal so I won't be having any subsequent therapy at this time.

It has worked for me in that I am not as hungry as I was before.  I feel fuller longer and I have to remember chew the food very well and eat very small portions (just like we did initially after surgery).  If I don't, it hurts to come up the other way!

As I remember some of the questions:

    1)    My insurance paid for the procedure.  However, I was responsible for a $180 charge to see the exercise specialist, dietician, and behaviorist.  It will money well spent as far as I am concerned.  The dietician is awesome and had some great ideas.

    2)    It is NOT a cure all - just a way to help the tool.  We still have to the necessary work.

    3)    It does not hurt.  I had my procedure done on Friday and by Saturday was in the mall shopping for Christmas.  There were no dietary restrictions.  I took no pain meds although I did get a script for one.

Check with the program where you had your weight loss surgery done many Dr.'s do not agree with this surgery, and that there is somthing much better right around the corner.  So before doing Sclerotherapy check with your Weight loss surgeon